davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
THE HAND OF GOD
Falls Heavily Upon Wicked Bias.
phemer.

pnemer.
Special to the Atlanta Constitution.
DOUGLASS, Ga, January Al
hope that God may paralyze me, i"
we're the words spoken by Will
liam Barkett. At once his hands
dropped to his side. his legs re-
fused to move, and his eyes rolled
wildly around. His prayer was
answered, as he stood paralyzed
on the spot where but a few mo-
ments before he was magnificent
type Of physical manhood. He
tried to speak, but his tong ae
would not move. Half dozen
men, who we're present, were rem
dered motionless by the evident
visitation of the hand of God.
When they recovered self-posses-
sion, they tenderly moved the af-
tilcted man to his residence, half
mile distant When Miss Rhody
Barkett saw the plight in which
her father was brought home, she
screamed and tainted, and died
few DAYS later.
For years Mr.. Burkett had been
the ferryman at tae HawkinsviIle
road crossing of the Ocmulgee
river. He was OF giant physique.
with long gray locks, and became
especially noted because of the
brace of revolvers which he kept
strapped to his waist. He was r
great hunter, aud the ferry being
III the midst of swamp, he was
convenient to an abundance Of
game. From those who lived
around him it is learned that he
was fearfully profane. Whenever
be sighted game and was called
off from it by an alarm from the
ferry, he would pour out such a
volley of oaths as would make the
flesh of ordinary men crawl. 1t
was while in one of these profane
epells that he cursed his creator,
and wound up with the expression
above quoted.
The news soon spread through
the country, and scores of people
called to see the victim. He was
at first completely Frustrated, but
subsequently was enabled to take
a few steps, when he would fall.
When spoken to be replies in an
articulate humble, and acts in the
most idiotic manner. The physi-
clans can ascribe no natursl cause
for his affection, but admit that it
is visitation of God. The
preachers i'll nelghborhood
have used the incident IL their
sermons with great effect.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13


son, such as any child may read,
You cannot find its solution in the
ponderous tones of the old fathers,
the philosophers, the investiga-
tors, the theorists. 1t is not on
your bookshelyes. But in the
warmest csrner of the unlettered
heart it glows 10 letters that the
blind may read--a sweet, plain,
simple, easy, loving lesson. Aud
when you have learned it, brother
of mine, the world will be better
and happier.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
THE UNWELCOME BABY.

Detroit Free Press.
Another mouth to feed" said
John Allen when the new baby
come.
"God never sends mouths but
what he sends bread to fill" said
bis employer, piously
"Aye. Only he's sends the
mouths to me and the bread to
you" asserted John Allen.
II guess God made mistake
when he sent that baby here" re-
marked john Allen, junior, aged
8. the baby himself until now.
"Ged never makes Mistakes"
answered his pale, fearful moth
err, the baby's only friend.
1t is sad enough to many peo-
pie to come into the world at all,
but to come into a world where
no one wants you, to be ia every
body's way, to have your food and
drink aud wherowithal you shall
be clothed reckonad Up and
grudge,l to you, oh, poor, little
unwelcome babe, who would bs in
your place?
ThAy chri5.ened the Allen baby
by the quaint and pretty name of
Barbara. Mrs. Allaa hoped it
would bring good luck, because it
had been the name of ag1ol,
sweet woman who was dead - her
own mother. And it reminded
her of that other Barbara Allen,
and the song she oftenest crooned
to the baby WAS that old love song
with its sad refrain.
| suppose the unwelcome baby
ought to have been a pale. pen
sive child, who never smiled, il
there is anything in sntenatal
theories But truth compels me
to say she was MT. She grew
and thrived, and looked pretty in
the only clothes that we're hers,
the cast off and outgrown ward
robe OF John Allen, Jr. And she
just bubbled over with laughter
and cooings. and would be noticed
and pstted, as il she had come to
stay.
You'll be late for work, John"
his wife would say to John Allen.
"One more romp with little
Bah" would be the answer, as he
tossed her high in his strong arms
and kissed her again and yet
again. And when the man went
to his work there were smiles
mixed with the crows feet of care
on his face, as he thought of the
baby that had at last fonnd well
come. The big sister wasted her
time" as she expressed it rs if
time could ever be wasted in that
way-got down on her knees to
worship that baby. And her
voice grew low and soft because
of the new love ia her heart. Aud
when little Bah could toddlp
about you would have thought
them a family OF lanatics. She
was their darling, their queen,
their idol. All! it has been we'll
said that
"God in ourAlnS
Gives better gifts than men in bcnediction
When the unwelcome baby had
won its crown Of conservation, a
voice called, aud it went through
the open arms OF God into the
New Home, ~here no child ID ev-
or unveils me.
And that was Ill quite all! No. surely!
lut
The children cried so, when her eyes were
shat"
A dog lost IN Kansas has made
n v4y haeg h3ma ~ ia n aaLar
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
Burglary at Preston.

On Saturday night last mum
Der of thieves effected an entrance
into the depot of the A. P. & l..
railroad company at Preston and
carried off large quantity of
meat, -four coffee and other arti-
cles that were stored there. The
burglary was discovered early
Sunday morning, and parties at
once organized to hunt up the
perpetrators, and late in the after
noon of the sans day succeeded
In finding the entire lot of goods
concealed beneath a pile of logs
in Kinchafosnee swamp. A
guard was put over the pile with
the hoy e that the thieves would
return during the night for the
goods, aud thus be captured, but
the plan leaked out and the thieves
were doubtless pat upon notice,
ss they failed to put in al ap-
peGrance.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
Williams Experience.
CHAPTER /.

go to the city.
William Henry had been born
anc raised on a farm, and he knew
how to find eggs without a search
warrant, ana kew to drive a dog
over bridge, and yet Re wasn't
satisfied. So one morning he
girded up his loins and said unto
his father:
"Stern parent, | have tolled at
this old ranch until my soul re-
volts and my eye-teeth are on
edge. | have watched with ten
der care the pock-marked squash
that grew in the shadow of the
barn. | have pursued the buff
hen when my whole heart yearn-
ed for sculpture AMI for art; /
have hauled the drab-tintea mule
out of.the creek to the silent mid
night hour when my soul cried
out for poetry and song. l have
watched the polka dot hogs as
they fed on the meadow, and min
gled with the sad-eyed cows when
my being longed for the solace OF
art l have worn my young life
away chopping holes through
elm logs when | sighed in my
heart for the healing balm Of lit
eratrre, 30 if you will fork out a
great, large tifty-dollar bill, with
green letters on it, | will away
and seek fame and fortune"
CHAPTER II.
William Henry had returned
from the city.
His pantaloons we're held up
by means of tarred rope and the
straw hat he wore needed weather
strips. He would have girded up
his loins, but he had nothing to
grid them with, 50 hs simply went
to his father and sail:
"Respected flther, if you will
permit me-, I viii resume my old
vocation OF herdjng the hens on
the wind swept lea, aud sing a
gentle inhael to the buff Cochin
hogs as they slumber in the
branches of the lordly sycamore.
| thought [ had talent for art, but
a cruel experience has taught me
that [ cannot whitswash a fence
and do it we'll"
'1n my dream | saw myself a
great actor, bringing tears to
every eye with Hamlet's soliloquy,
but when ] appeared in a three
cent town as Uncle Tom l WAS
presented with so many second
hand eggs that the perfume clings
to me still.
Father, hand me the hoe and
spade; let me go out on the undu-
lating prairie aud dig post holes
and kill rattlesuakes, AID perhaps
in a thousand years l may forget
the great seven y-nine hole
through my heart.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
Family Gifts.

"Habby, dear, / can't wait 10
tell you what Tn going 10 buy
for New Year'sp
"Darling wife, what Ia it?"
DWELL. Pm going TO get you q
silver card-tray aud bronze Her.
culss for the mantel, and lovely
Russian table rug to lay ia front
Of nay dressing-oase. What ire
you going to got for me-, rootsy?"
I've been thinking, Jane, that
Two about concluded to get You q
new shaving brush"
Trouble ensues,
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Josh Billings says it is a good
plan to coma up to the back side
Of things and work towards the
front, but his philosophy womb
not work very well if applied to a
mule
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Two u k;ot: The youth who
xisa,s as nal the money back
~dioh be pail tor present to
girl, And the girl who wishes the
moan thing had his old present
hack
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Cleveland shook hands with
1000 people on New Years day.
And vet some people are trying
10 make Us believe he is in poor
health.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Il "a SAL that tbars is great
3.orn4sion in Tia business Of
making bottles The business of
sopLy,aQ thrn ;s carriel on as
hriskjc ~ ever
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

A poet claims that nothing is
w,rmsr than woman's love. Wo-
m.n's love never reaches to her
feet, then.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

The whole state of Georgia ap-
.oors to be afflicted with matrimo-
NAL fever.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Already the solemn and poorly
.,sd negro on the emaciated mule
..oketb the merchant who doth
lat his goods and rations out on
Anna
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

The prisoners convicted of COM
r!icity in the Shellman riot have
kan taken to the penitentiary.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

SERVED IN GREAT SHAPE! !
Yes, you can get il! just that
way, at Eureka Saloon and
Ri lard Parlor,
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

The Orphans Home, in Macon,
was baraod one night last week,
throwing forty five children out
of their beds into tn cold night
air and rendering them homeless.
Sholter for the poor children was
quickly provided.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

an amusing incident occurred
NJ christmas tree ut one of the
S''ored churches in Elberton. As
'"' lew of the members could
'0au or write, they selected a col
ECU damseI who had been to
o'nool to write the names on the
PRESENTS, which she readily con-
o'p''d to do. When the presents
"1re distributed and the names
Ia''ed out, the assembly was great
surprised that all the handsom-
' ana most valuable presents
a., 'a on chem the name OF the girl
ia, n.,' a'i the writing. An lndig-
s's ''h nesting was hastily held,
=. 49, = redistribution Al tho pres
sel' ordered.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

A dog lost ii Kansas has made
h way back homa t. its MASTER
in siichigap,
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Rradstreet estimates ths pres
- cotton crop at $685., 900 bales.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

A man in Peoria, ILL.,. celebrated
the anniversary Of his release
from the Andersonville Coufeder-
ate prison by baking corn cak es
Ike those on which prison.
ers vera fell, and distributing
them among the veterans of that
city.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
pIoUANT POINTS

caught Here aad There for the 10 ur
nal Readers.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13
FOR SALE

A FINE Sorrel Horse good speed, gentle
n and perfectly sound. Viii be sold
low down for cash. rs owner 10 leaving
town. MRS. T. PETERS,
at Simmons House.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

1t the state does not know what
to do with her couvicts, and it
seems she does not, we would
merely suggest that they bs CIV
en- back to the counties in which
they we're convicted to be worked
upon the public highways. Then
the people who have been taxed
to make them convicts will be
oeAoStted by their labor. -Ogle-
thorpe Echo.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

cts been give out that my
daughter was married." said a
Lee county farmer the other day,
"bus | want to state that there
amt m truth it. Such talk as
That will keep the young men away.
one ain I m-fr:a5 at oil. but is
Jest as wilin' as ever"
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

Now that the festivities If the
holidays are over, the unripe
youth OF cierking propensities
ooth put his hand into his pocket
and bringing forth his collapsed
com sack fndAth it empty. At
nFat he is at s loss to know what
has become of the hard earned
Ta'a that few short DAYS ago
aia feel SO very comfortably
ae'vy, bat on more mature think
''g ne decided that the beautiful
presents he has been lavishipg
On the few attractive dqmsels af
his acquaintance have cost hi,a a
sreat(?) deal. He Immediately
resolves that such will never be
We case again. -Ex.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

A very strict Sunday law went
into effect in Louisiana last
sunday The Monday papers
from that state are fxll of tels-
grams from towns all over the
state, thu burden aud substance
OF each dispatch being that the
paopls of the particular town from
VAlch it came was keapiag the
9S19ata, It seems to have bsan
novel experiences to many.
The Dawson journal., 1887-01-13

time.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05
ALPENA WEEKLY ARGUS.
MISCELLANEOUS.
NY nEiGHaol's BABY.


"BicssS,i arc ttc psdssmators."
a sturdy fa'rha rod laddle
Was Roxer. my ne ghhOr : sou,
with the innocent look ~ his blue eyes
of n io that has iIst hegun.
" hen sec n crimson dress.
Hear Wcet oh id-Vhice at play,
u HivR =. somehow, rpminds mo
ui the bshy over til way.
lie WIS two s. cnr- 81 that summer
had never not the child.
Till one dat. who ! "R- passing.
lie looked thrOuW IN" gate and smiled.
Tie made u pretty . cure,
With the -lInlighi On h 5 hair;
lie wore rcd dress | remember,
And his l,ttlo feet were bare.
hal always "a 'r.S,.ness for chiidren.
So | stopped @d'l spoke to the lad
lie told me what hi. name was,
And how many X stems he had.
He filled nv hands " III blossoms,
In spite OF all cord SaV,
Then fled his face ~ kiss me
Before turned away.
Iguess I ma, as well tell you,
That nv nc.gnbor and wero-well.
Sow I've begun the story,
! hardly know what TO tell;
II was such n little matter
IT first, bu; IL ran along
As things will, II you let them.
When they've started TO 20 wrong,
INT thin ashamed to say IT.
lv ny ms close as we do
After a bitter quarrel.
when cutting word or two
Passed back and forth between US,
We d d not speak again.
Childish. you say. l know IL,
But didn't think so then.
But we were the best of comrades,
Tho little Roger and /,
After that day when he kissed mo,
As was passing by.
] might turn toward my ne 'ghbor,
a face that was hard and grim;
But Roger, my neighbours baby,
had always smile for him.
And so il went on all summer.
Till ut last there came n day.
When strangely hushed md darkeued
Wasthe cottage over tho way.
few words told the story
A few words carelessly sad,
But frclghted with so much sadness
Tho hHbr, you know, Is dead
hllcd nv hands with the fiowor
know he loved the best,
Aud iust us the sunset glory
Was fad ing out of tho west,
entered INV nelghbors gateway,
Went M the path TO the door
The months hal grown into years sincel
Had trodden that path before.
nut we who are very willful
By a little child are led.
As entered tho darkened chamber,
md stood beside the bed,
Where tho silent form of Roger,
Half.covcrcd with flowers, lay.
All my BITTERNESS tn my neighbour
Tor ever passed away.
u needs no words TO Explain II,
think you will understand;
over the littlo sleeper
clnsped my ncighbor's hand.
The bond that was formed will never
BE broken till time shall cease,
For Roger. my neighbours baby.
Has spoken the words of peace
Good Housekeeping.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05
The First Balloon.

The discovery Of the balloon was
due to Stephen and Joseph Montgol-
fer, sons Of Peter Montgolfer, paper
maker at Annonay, France. The
brothers had observed the suspension
of the clouds in the atmosphere, and
it occurred to them that if they could
enclose any vIpor Of the nature Of a
cloud in large and very light bag,
it might rise and carry the bag with
it in the air. They accordingly made
experiments, initiating bags with smoke
from fire placed underneath, and
found either that the smoke or some
vapor from the fire did ascend and
carry the bag with it. Being thus
assured Of the correctness of their
views, they determined to have pub
lie ascent of a balloon OH large scale
They accordingly invited the States of
Vivarais, then assembled at Annonay,
to witness their aerostatic experiment,
and on June 5, 1888, in the presence
of a considerable concourse Of specta-
tors, linen globe of 105 #. in circum-
ference was inflated over fire fed
with small bundles of chopped straw,
and when released rapidly rose to a
great height, and have been using
Piso's Cure for Consumption for the
past four years, and l find it the best
remedy ever used for coughs.
HIRAM LEWIS.
Big Prairie, Mich. July 10, 1885.
descended at the expiration of ten
minutes at distance Of about / ! mile.
The brothers Montgolfer imagined
that the bag rose because of the levi
ty of the smoke or yapor given forth
by the burning straw, and it was not
till some time later that it was recog-
nized that the ascending power was
due merely to the lightness of the
heated air compared to an equal vol
ume of air at lower temperature.
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05
AEoRTGAGE SALE.

Default having been made In the. terms and
conditions OF certain indenture OF mortgage
bearing date tho third day OF December. A. -,
Weide and frede welde. his wife, mortgagors.
Of the first part, and John o'liara, moItgag.eee,
the second part, and duly Iecoraeo ~, M ~
Alpena. on the iith day OF December, A. ID ~ ~
In liber OF mortgages, on page on anu ~. VA
wn,Ss ss coStnned has become operative and
Il being claimed that thcro Is now due anu w.
paid. at the date hereof, on said moItgegsi ,nS
sum OF sixty dollars and fifteen cents; sS0V.lol)
for principal and interest, together With an AZ
tornsy fec OF twenty-five dollars, (s2SOOl pro
vided for In said mortgage and no sui OF pro ,
Instituted 10 recover the amount secured py
said mortgage, or any part thereof now 'hore'
Notice ia hereby given, that on the
sTH DAY OF JANUARY, A: ID, isSl,
AZ two O'Clock In the afternoon OF SAID DAY, ny
Aipena' county OF AIpena. and state OF Michi-
gan, that being the building In which the CIT
cult Court for the county ia when snlu nloII,
gagged premises are situated Is held, there VIII
Be sold az public auction, TO the highest bidder,
the premises described in said mortgage ,or so
much thereof as may be necessary 70 SATISFY inc
ney fec, and all costs and charges allowed ny
law. said mortgaged premises are situated ~
hs Ely Oh Pe9 esc S9SS as S fopws All that
piece or parcel of land described IN said mort.
gage as follows, To wit: Commencing AT q point
on Fletcher street 500 feet nOrthwesterly from
the northeast corner OF lot III in block 20 OF the
original plat OF the village, now city OF Alpena'
running thence south 81 degrees west, 10 Iect,
thence northwcsterly parallel with Thunder
Ray river GO feet. thence north 81 degrees cast,
100 feet to Fletcher street, thence south ~ &c
arees east on Fletcher street, 90 feet, 10 the
place OF beginning, being portion OF water
power No. 4. ......
JOHN O1lARA,
Mortgage.
GEO. II. SLEATOR,
Attorney for Mort gagec.
Dated Sept. 5th, 1856. 'olWl3
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05
MORTGAGE SALE.


Default having been made ia the terms and con-
ditons OF a certain indenture of mortgage, bearing
date the second day OF December, \. ID. 1852, and
executed by aud between William A. Clake and
Harriet Clake, his wife, mortgagors, of tho first
part, and John O'IlaTa, mortgagCc, Of the second
part, and by which said default the power OF sale
IN said mortgage contained has become operative,
and u being claimed that there Is now due and I'M
paid, at the dato hereof on said mortgage, the sum
Of one hundred and thirteen dollars, (sll300 for
principal, interest and taxes together with an at
for In said mortgage, and no suit or proceeding,
either at law in equity having been instituted to
recover the amount secured by said mortgage, or
any part thereof, now, therefore;
Notice IL hereby given that on tho
9TH DAY or JANUARY, A. ID. 1857,
al two o'clock in tho afternoon Of said day, at the
'front.' door Of tho Court House, in the city of Al
psna, county of Alpena, and state Of Michigan,
that being tho building which the Circuit Court
are situated is held there will be sold at public
ton, 20 the highest bidder, the premises described
in said mortgage, or 30 much thereof az may be
necessary TO satisfy the said debt the interest thore
on and said attorney fee, and all costs and charges
allowed by law. Said mOrtgagCd premises are situ-
ated in the township Of Maple Ridge, county OF AL
Dera, state Of Michigan, and described as follows
All those pieces parcels of land described in said
mortgage as follows, 20 wits The southeast quar-.
ter OF the northeast quarter and the northeast
quarter OF the southeast quarter Of section TWEEN
ty-two t22l in township thirty-two 1917 north, OF
JOHN oHARA,
Mortgage.
Gro II. sLrAloR,
Attorney for Mortgage. 7qlwl5
Dated Sept. 5th 1856
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05

louisville has 10000 colorcd PEG
pie. many Of whom arc prosperous ant
some Of whom are rich. Some of thu
best real estate in the city is owned b.
colorcd men; there are three or fou
large furniture dc Hers and many coa
yards, groceries and saloons owned b
negroes. Louisville Conri,y-.czyacL
Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-01-05
Expected her.

Il suppose that was your wife who
was in here while you were down
town? ?" quericd new clerk in Il
Grand River avenue grocery to the
proprietor as he entered:
81 don't know. What did she sayf"
Nothing"
"What did she do ?'
"Empted the contents Of both mon
ey drawers into her pockets and walk
ed off as cool as January"
Eyes, suppose it was her, James.
| thought she might turn up, and
that's why | left only forty cents in
change in the store. Free Press.